Looking for some tips on how to cultivate the habit of daily Bible reading? Here are 5 surefire ways to increase your love for God and His Word.
1. Decide what time of day is best for you.
Are you a morning person, or is it better later in the day? We are all different. Some people love to wake up in the morning and dive into the Word before doing anything else. But that may not be good for you, your schedule, or your family, especially if you’re a parent with young children who need you from the moment he wakes up.
So you will have to solve this. If you are married, this may require a discussion with your spouse. But take heart, this is not rocket science. Can be done. And you’re smart enough to make it happen.
2. Find a place where you can be alone.
Depending on your life situation, this can be a challenge. If you have a room at home where you can close the door and be alone, go ahead! But in many families, this can be literally impossible, at least when everyone is awake.
You may need to leave the house to be alone with God. Going to a nearby coffee shop or public library might work for you, or just take a walk and find a parking space.
3. Commit to meeting God at the designated time and place.
We all date, right? Doctor, dentist, insurance agent, whoever. Well, don’t you think it makes sense to make an appointment with God? Doesn’t He deserve the same respect you give your financial planner or tax preparer?
I urge you to cultivate an attitude that takes your daily Bible time seriously, because you want to take God seriously. Sure, life will get in the way of your plans, and the unexpected will inevitably happen and you will have days where your date with God is canceled for various valid reasons.
But if you are hungry for God and his truth, you will have the desire to keep this commitment.
4. Do it whether you feel like it or not.
There will be days when you are tempted by a lack of desire to read the Bible. It’s fine. It is normal for our hunger for the Word to vary from day to day.
But think about this: If you only went to work on days you felt like it, how often would you go to work? You know how it is: once you get there and get going, you usually get over those feelings.
If you start reading the Word even when you don’t feel like it, and just give it 5 minutes, I know what will happen: God will honor your persistence and before long those fickle feelings will be gone.
5. Pray about this.
Ask God to help you cultivate a growing desire for Him and His Word. Ask God to give you the self-discipline to put this plan into practice every day (remember that self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit – see Galatians 5:22-23).
Do you think God wants to answer such a prayer? Of course he does! And may He bless you greatly for spending quality time with Him in the Word, and may your love for King Jesus increase as a result.